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Game Narrative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spin Master

Game Developer

New York, NY · On-site

$38 - $40/hr

Collaborate with designers to translate narrative horror elements into elegant analog rules that evoke psychological tension and thematic gameplay. * Act as the primary technical liaison for external ...

SpiderWare

Video Game QA Tester

Over 1 million players played the browser version; we've rebuilt the entire game for PC - new engine, new progression, new narrative framework. We're a remote team of ~20, we hire from anywhere in ...

Fanatics Collectibles

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

Collaborate with narrative design, creative, and product teams to ensure mechanics are well ... Deep passion for trading card games as both a designer and a player Location All employees of ...

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Game Narrative information

See salary details

$18.5K

$60K

$156K

How much do game narrative jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for game narrative in the United States is $59,972.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is game narrative?

Game narrative refers to the story, dialogue, world-building, and emotional experience crafted for a video game. It encompasses everything from the overarching plot to the way players interact with characters and the environment. Game narrative designers work closely with writers, artists, and developers to ensure the game's story is engaging and seamlessly integrated with gameplay. A strong narrative can enhance immersion, motivate players, and make the gaming experience memorable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game narrative designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Narrative Designer, you need strong storytelling abilities, creative writing skills, and an understanding of interactive narrative structures, often backed by a degree in writing, literature, or game design. Familiarity with narrative design tools (such as Twine, Ink, or Articy Draft) and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Collaboration, adaptability, and clear communication are vital soft skills for integrating story elements with gameplay and working across multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for crafting immersive, engaging narratives that enhance player experience and drive the overall success of games.

How does a game narrative designer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

Game Narrative Designers work closely with teams such as game design, art, and programming to ensure that story elements are seamlessly integrated into gameplay. They frequently attend cross-functional meetings to align narrative beats with level design, character development, and visual style. This role requires clear communication and adaptability, as narrative elements often need to be revised based on gameplay feedback or technical constraints. Building effective relationships with other team members is key to delivering a cohesive and immersive player experience.

What is the difference between Game Narrative vs Game Writer?

AspectGame NarrativeGame Writer
Primary FocusDeveloping the overall story, plot, and world-building for a gameWriting dialogue, scripts, and specific content within the game
Skills & CredentialsStorytelling, creative writing, narrative design, often with a background in literature or game designWriting, scripting, editing, with experience in game dialogue and narrative scripting
Work EnvironmentCollaborative with designers, artists, and developers in game studiosPrimarily writing and scripting within the development team
Industry UsageUsed in game development to shape the story arc and narrative structureUsed to craft in-game dialogue, cutscenes, and character interactions

Game Narrative professionals focus on creating the overarching story and world, while Game Writers handle the detailed scripting and dialogue. Both roles are essential for immersive storytelling in games, often overlapping but distinct in scope and responsibilities.

More about Game Narrative jobs

What states have the most Game Narrative jobs?

States with the most job openings for Game Narrative jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Game Narrative jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Narrative jobs are:

Game Narrative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Narrative job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,972 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Game Design - (Various Disciplines) - Talent Pool (N Americas)

side

Charleston, SC • Remote

$158K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Requirements

  • Design, implement, and iterate on game mechanics, systems, levels, encounters, or narratives, depending on your specialization.
  • Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including programmers, artists, and producers, to ensure seamless gameplay integration.
  • Develop and maintain design documentation, prototypes, and iterative improvements based on internal testing and player feedback.
  • Balance and refine gameplay mechanics to achieve engaging and rewarding player experiences.
  • Analyze player behavior, feedback, and data to inform design decisions and enhance engagement.
  • Participate in design reviews, offering and receiving constructive feedback to refine design implementations.
  • Ensure consistency and alignment with the game's creative vision and project objectives.

Qualifications:

    • 3+ years of professional experience in game design (level design, combat design, worldbuilding, narrative design, technical design, or encounter design).
    • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

    • Proficiency with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
    • Familiarity with scripting languages, visual scripting tools, or proprietary game design tools.
    • Strong understanding of player psychology, game mechanics, pacing, and balance.

Collaboration and Communication Skills:

    • Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team and integrate feedback into iterative design.
    • Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex design ideas clearly.

Passion for Game Design:

    • Deep knowledge of game design principles, industry trends, and player expectations.
    • Enthusiasm for problem-solving and pushing the boundaries of interactive experiences.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience working on AAA titles.
  • Knowledge of procedural design, emergent gameplay systems, or AI-driven gameplay mechanics.
  • Background in narrative design, interactive storytelling, or dialogue systems.
  • Experience with multiplayer, live-service, or co-op game design.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.

About the Talent Pool

This is a general game designer application. We encourage all qualified designers to apply regardless of specialization. We regularly review this pool when staffing new or ongoing projects, so even if there isn’t an open role now, joining ensures you’ll be top of mind when client needs arise.

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary.
  • Dynamic, multicultural and fun environment.
  • You will be working for the world's leading provider of game services.
  • We empower our people and offer regular progression opportunities to ensure our employees flourish.

About Side
Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc